Heatpress Operator

• Dye-sublimation heat press operation and transfer process management

• Heat press setup, temperature, pressure and dwell-time control

• Sublimation artwork positioning, alignment and fabric handling

• Production scheduling, job prioritisation and target achievement

• Quality control, colour accuracy and defect identification

• Fabric printing, heat pressing, handling, folding and finishing processes

• Machinery care, operator-level maintenance and downtime reporting

• Material handling, wastage reduction and rework control

• Production documentation, job tracking and record keeping

• Health and safety compliance, problem solving, time management and effective teamwork

Financial metrics

Heat Press Operations

• Operate manual, pneumatic, automatic or calendar heat press equipment as required.

• Set and adjust temperature, pressure and pressing time according to product and material specifications.

• Correctly position sublimation prints onto fabric or substrates before pressing.

• Ensure artwork is correctly aligned, positioned and secured before transferring.

• Monitor the transfer process to ensure consistent results.

• Remove completed products safely from the heat press.

• Follow approved production settings and work instructions.

• Make minor adjustments to machine settings when required.

Quality Control

• Inspect sublimated products for:

o Correct colour transfer

o Alignment and positioning

o Ghosting or shadowing

o Press marks

o Creasing

o Uneven transfers

o Fading or colour inconsistencies

o Contamination

o Incorrect artwork

• Identify defective products and report them to the Production Supervisor.

• Prevent defective products from progressing to the next production stage.

• Maintain consistent quality throughout the production run.

• Complete quality checks and production records where required.

Production

• Work according to daily production schedules and priorities.

• Meet required production targets without compromising quality.

• Ensure materials and printed artwork are available before commencing production.

• Correctly identify and match printed artwork to the relevant production order.

• Handle fabrics and finished products carefully to prevent damage.

• Assist with folding, packing and preparation of completed products when required.

• Minimise material wastage and rework.

• Communicate production delays, shortages or machine problems promptly.

Machine Care and Maintenance

• Perform daily checks of heat press equipment.

• Keep heat press surfaces, platens and surrounding areas clean.

• Report machine faults, unusual noises, temperature fluctuations or other issues immediately.

• Perform basic operator-level maintenance as authorised.

• Ensure machines are switched off and safely secured when not in use.

• Follow preventative maintenance procedures and schedules.

Health & Safety

• Operate all equipment in accordance with company safety procedures.

• Use appropriate PPE where required.

• Exercise caution when working with high-temperature equipment.

• Keep the production area clean, organised and free from hazards.

• Follow lock-out and isolation procedures where applicable.

• Report unsafe conditions, incidents and injuries immediately.

• Never bypass machine safety guards or operating procedures.

ADMINISTRATION & RECORD KEEPING

• Complete production sheets and job cards accurately.

• Record quantities produced, rejected and reworked.

• Record machine settings where required.

• Report production issues and material shortages.

• Maintain accurate documentation relating to completed orders.

• Communicate outstanding production requirements to the next shift or supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

The successful candidate should have:

• Basic understanding of the dye sublimation process.

• Experience operating heat press equipment is advantageous.

• Understanding of fabric handling and textile production.

• Ability to follow production specifications accurately.

• Good attention to detail.

• Ability to identify quality defects.

• Good hand-eye coordination.

• Ability to work under production pressure.

• Good organisational and time-management skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Basic understanding of workplace health and safety.

• Ability to read and understand production instructions.

• Matric

• Basic understanding of the dye sublimation process.

• Experience operating heat press equipment 3 Year Min

• Experience working with large-format textile products